semi-closed; cozy leisure time

[lapislazily]

WHO: Black Order members and anyone else they want to invite.
WHERE: Arcadia apartments, in the rec center!
WHEN: Forward-dated to 5/6
WHAT: While POKEGO fights over nerd shit, the Addams Family has a potluck.
WARNINGS: Language, but I'll update if there's violence over the potato salad.

[There are several long tables pushed together to accommodate a small crowd, and all are draped in crimson and gold tablecloths. Two are set up with enough space for all the dishes people are bringing. It should be an impressive spread, if only because no one wants Velvet to eat them instead of the food... There are plates and silverware on the ends, and napkins. For drinks: there's a quick boil tea kettle and a more traditional one for people who insist on having their tea a certain way, some kind of fruit punch, water, generic brand soda, and whatever else people decide to contribute.

The other two tables are for people to sit at. Someone has taken the time to fold extra napkins in a stupidly fancy way and set them as decoration. As for chairs, there are twelve and then some, just in case someone wanted to bring a friend. Unfortunately, the Black Order can't count so who knows if that will even get noticed.

It's not high class, but with all the food spread out... it sure looks tasty.]

[ooc: Threadjack away!]

Comments

[lapislazily]

[Oh, Ei. He probably shouldn't indulge that, but... that would be rude.] And we thank you for that.

[He wonders if maybe she does remember more than he assumed. Interesting... Well, they'll have plenty to talk about, then. As the oldest former-Archon he knows of, he might be able to help her navigate some things.]

I'll make time for you. [Whatever it is, surely she doesn't want to get into it while there's a dozen people around.]

imma be real, i almost started grading but this looked like more fun

[eiternity]

You are welcome.

[She does not sense any sort of sarcasm with that. To her, McDonalds is good food, and so she is grateful her coworkers are enjoying it.]

[She's full of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, the memories are overwhelming, and she fears sharing them may make them worse. On the other, just as she wishes to keep her sister alive, she imagines her past self wanted to keep the memories of her friends alive.]

[After a long moment, a small, pained smile.]

Thank you. I shall reach out to you later.

yeah i am absolutely not doing work rn

[lapislazily]

[That's... not an expression he's used to seeing on Ei's face, though admittedly he doesn't know her that well. Still... He tries to return that smile in a way that he hopes is... comforting? It isn't much, but it's friendly enough, a little bit like the sun on the side of a mountain. Slight and warm.]

Would you like more tea in the meantime?

work is fake ty ty ty (pls don't tell my boss)

[eiternity]

Yes, that would be wonderful.

[Please don't look at her. She's putting so much sugar in this tea. It's like a mini-sugar mountain. How is she still alive?]

[lapislazily]

[Zhongli is definitely looking after he finishes pouring. And you can be assured he is judging, though he's going to keep those thoughts to himself.

Youth these days. No one appreciates the taste of tea for what it is.]

Is there a kind of tea you prefer?

[Gods please let him just meet her in the middle so he doesn't have to witness this atrocity a second time.]

[eiternity]

[She nods. Coming from Japan, she is acquainted with tea in all of its many forms. Black Tea, Green Tea, Chai, she understands the distinctions even if she does not regularly have it at her apartment.]

[However, given her sweet tooth, one tea rises above the rest.]

Oh! I do remember one kind. It happened to be available for takeout here.

[EI DON'T DO IT]

I believe it was called Bubble Tea?

[lapislazily]

[Zhongli reacts with about as much excitement to this news as someone getting handed a pair of socks for Christmas. His disappointment is immeasurable and his day is ruined. What has erosion done to you, Ei? How far have you fallen?

He smiles a touch awkwardly.]

Ah. I see... Bubble tea is a curious invention. According to most accounts, it originated in Taiwan in the eighties. It started with cold tea and milk, and the tapioca balls called 'bubbles' were added a little later. It's unique for its preparation as well as its aesthetic. I can see why you would enjoy it. Speaking of Taiwan, have you ever been to Taroko National Park? The massive gorge that runs through that land has a river so clear and blue at the bottom of it that it looks like a painting.